Tim Mara wrote:
jphoenix wrote:

I installed mine this past weekend, the antenna is located forward and
under the instrument panel glareshield, attached to the rudder pedal
bracket and installed within 20° of vertical as required by the
manual.

AmeriKing, $206 including shipping from Paul Remde.


I have sold and installed the Ameri-King ELT's (I still sell these for just
$189.00) and other ELT's using a variety of antenna installations, usually a
rubber duck mounted on a metal ground plane in the baggage area is the
easiest and cleanest installation, providing you don't have a carbon fiber
or metal fuselage. I've also seen installations of the same antenna type
from some glider manufacturers mounted on simple brackets in the cockpit
that provide little of no ground plane....I have "unscientifically tested"
my own installations and they work, at least TX with reasonable strength and
range but I don't know how well the antenna performs without some ground
plane.

I just tested the antenna from my handheld radio, using a SWR (AKA VSWR)
meter. The SWR was too high (greater than 3) when on a 2 foot long piece
of coax, and acceptable (about 2) when attached directly to the SWR
instrument. So, Tim's suggestions for ground planes make good sense and
could easily double the transmitted power. It is always a good idea to
measure the SWR of any new antenna installation (not antennas mounted on
the directly on the ELT or handheld radio, of course), and every year or
so. VSWR meters can be purchased cheaply or easily borrowed from another
pilot. Check CB radio shops or search Froogle for "SWR meter" for dozens
under $50.

Hmmm, might be a good item for Paul, Richard, or Tim to sell.

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA